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Bar tape & grips
Crank Brothers Cobalt Foam GripsCrank Brothers Cobalt foam grips

Crank Brothers Cobalt Foam Grips

7
by Shaun Audane
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Mar 18, 2011

0
£19.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Stylish thin density MTB grips ripe for flat bar road bikes let down by delicate fittings
Weight: 
65g
Contact: 
www.2pure.co.uk
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Crank Brothers Cobalt are a thin density lock-on design grips making the transition perfectly from XC trail blazer to road whippet, tourer to tagalong thanks to high quality materials uniting shock absorption and tenacious all weather grip without the chunky profiles. Death gripping the bars when screaming into winding descents wouldn't budge them but some smoother anodised/plated finishes proved trickier and the clamp bolts seemed unduly fragile

Weighing a paltry 90g and measuring a sensible 130mm wide, the composition of these grips is remarkably simple. Dual density foam sits atop a composite sleeve flanked by good looking anodised 6061 (blue, silver, gold) aluminium cuffs and a choice between standard and carbon specific end plugs. Slotting them aboard the bars couldn't be easier (although some bar/end combinations may demand a little Stanley knife surgery, thus defeating the object). Loosen the Allen screws, apply a little hairspray to the bars, slide into position and snug down very gently using a 2mm Allen key and preferably a torque wrench. I was shocked to discover the left bolt had sheared despite kid-gloves treatment but a drop of threadlock saved the day.

Ordinarily I wouldn't dream of riding any distance w gloves/mitts but as measure of their shock absorbent qualities, I set out aboard a rigid mtb for a twenty-mile medley taking in bridle path, green lane and rutted trails. Comfort wasn't quite on par with some of the really old school offerings last popular in the late 80s but they've numbed persistent trail buzz and some deeper ruts better than I'd expected from such a lightweight set. Three weeks asphalt duties confirms they're just as dependable on the open road and asphalt jungle. The dual density foam doesn't saturate come the first cloudburst, seem truly colourfast and nonchalant to everyday carelessness. However, generous width might not suit "Wiley Coyote" traffic jammers with Uber narrow cockpits.

 

Verdict

Thin density MTB grips ripe for flat bar road bikes let down by delicate fittings

road.cc test report

Make and model: Crankbrothers Cobalt Foam Grips

Size tested: Cobalt grips - gold

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

"One of the lightest dual clamp lock-on grips for XC racing". Lend themselves very well to most flat bar applications.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

width 130mm

 

grip material high density foam

 

lock rings 6061 T-6 aluminum

 

torx bolt size T10

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Generally good but bolts seemed unduly delicate

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

90gpr

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10

Excellent, even in bare hands but not quite a match for the old school foam types off-road.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

A little pricy perhaps.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Overall the Cobalts have performed very well providing excellent insulation from road and trail shock without spoiing the lines of racier road mounts. The foam seems reasonably hard wearing too, although the coming months will be quite telling.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Stylish design, ease of installation and pleasing shock absorbtion.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing specific aside from the delicate bolts but this may just be down to a rogue pair.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Quite possibly

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

grips
Crank Brothers Cobalt Foam Grips
CRANK Brothers
Shaun Audane

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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